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 Hiroshima Square - Potsdam, Germany
N 52° 23.694 E 013° 07.429
33U E 372341 N 5806616
A peace monument at the place from which President Truman gave the orders to drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima
Waymark Code: WM100XD
Location: Brandenburg, Germany
Date Posted: 02/04/2019
Views: 5
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From July 17 until August 2, 1945, US President Harry S. Truman was in Potsdam/Germany to participate at the Potsdam Conference, which established postwar order in Europe.
During his stay, President Truman resided in a villa in Potsdam-Babelsberg (picture right). It was here, that he learned about the sucessful Trinity Nuclear Test (which took place on July 16) and it was here on July 25, that he issued the final order to drop a nuclear bomb on the Japanese city Hiroshima. |
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In 2005, the citizen and the major of Potsdam - in conjunction with the major of Hiroshima - decided to build a monument as a reminder of a decision that changed the fate of the world.
On July 25, 2010, exactly 65 years after President Truman approved the bombing order, the square in front of the Truman Villa was named Hiroshima Square (Hiroshima-Platz in German). |
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Japanese sculptor Makoto_Fujiwara created a monument. Center piece is a large polished boulder of Norwegian Syenite. Weight (36 metric tons) and size of the boulder resemble the "Altar of Memories" in Hiroshima.
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Japanese and German students assisted the sculptor.
In Japanese tradition, visitors often leave Origami cranes at the monument (picture below).
In front of the boulder is a plaque, also made of Syenite. Embedded in the plaque are two small rocks - one from Hiroshima and one from Nagasaki.
The plaque has an inscription in English, German and Japanese: |
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IN MEMORY OF THE VICTIMS OF THE ATOMIC BOMBS
THAT FELL ON HIROSHIMA AND NAGASAKI
ON AUGUST 6 AND AUGUST 9, 1945
US PRESIDENT HARRY S. TRUMAN RESIDED
AT THE VILLA OPPOSITE THIS MEMOMRIAL
DURING THE POTSDAM CONFERENCE OF THE ALLIED FORCES
FROM JULY 17 UNTIL AUGUST 2, 1945
ON JULY 25, 1945 THE MILITARY ORDER
TO DROP THE ATOMIC BOMBS
WAS ISSUED FROM WASHINGTON D.C.
WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE PRESIDENT
THE DESTRUCTIVE POWER OF THE WEAPONS BROUGHT
DEATH TO HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE
AND DREADFUL SUFFERING TO MANY MORE
IN THE HOPE OF A NUCLEAR-WEAPON-FREE WORLD |
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Text on Monument/Memorial Sign or Plaque:
See Detailed Description
Website about the Peace Monument/Memorial: [Web Link]
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Visit Instructions:
When visiting a waymark, please take a picture that clearly shows the peace monument/memorial. Please tell us a little about your experience.
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